Electrical coincidental locking



Aug. 20, 1940. H. p. SEELJNGER 2,212,251

ELECTRICAL COINCIDENTAL LOCKING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 9, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zhwentor I Gtfoinefis H. n. S EELlN GER 2,212,251

Aug. 20, 1940,

ELECTRICAL COINCIDENTAL LOCKING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 9, 1939 '4 Sheets-Sheet2 a :4 I i 2 i "l /3 v .55 5 75 i I 2 .2

3maentor flames Sedizgqa 1 8 7 1940- QSEELINGER 2,212,251

ELECTRICAL COINCIDENTAL LOCKING SYSTEM 'Filed Jan. 9, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet' 3 r0 mpkoaoks 3maentor (Ittomegs 20,1940. 7 H. o. SEELINGER Q 2,212,251

ELECTRICAL comcInEn'r'AL LOCKING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 9', 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ISnnentor w 35 V (Ittornegs Patented Aug. 20, 1940 t UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE v nLEo'rarcAr. C(lYIgC Il EZNTAL Locm v General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application January s), 1939, Serial No. 249,891

I 6 Claims. (01. 70-264) -The present invention relates to a coincidental slot 9 in the latch bolt I. A bow sp i n locking system for closure devices, and is parand of which is looped around the stud I and the ticularly adaptable to the doors of automotive ther end extending into an openin II n he vehicles, latch bolt I, is provided. to project the latch. A

The object of my invention is to provide a shaft l3 rotatably mounted in the frame 3 has 5 convenient means in which a plurality of latch 11511811 Outside handle (not w fixed to devices may be set for .locking at one station, one end and a collar 15 fixed to the shaft I! at each station of which is locked by a slight initial its inner end. The collar It has an integral movement of the individual latch retracting paw I 1 d a sect portion prov ded with a means. Electrical mechanism for accomplishing recess II i whic an insulating se ment 23 is 10 this object may be used separately or the comfi e T e pawl bears against a downward bination of both mechanical and electrical lockextending projection 25 on the latch bolt I and.

ing means may be used so that double protection when moved counterclockwise retracts the latch may be obtained. bolt. The latch bolt I may also be retracted by Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a plurality means of an inside door handle and link (not 15 of locking mechanisms and the electrical cirshown) connected to the latch bolt l at point 21. ouit connections between them to provide a 00- An electromagnet' 29 located below the 'latch incidental locking system. bolt. is fixed to the frame 3 and operates a bell Figure 2 is a, detailed sectional view of a mascrank armature 3| pivoted on a. stud a which is go ter locking mechanism used to control a plufixed to the fra e 3- A helical Sp 3510- rality of similar dependent locking mechanisms. cated between the end 31 of the bell crank :I Figure 3 is a similar view of the mechanism and carried in a recess 39 in the core 4| of the shown in Figure 2 with the parts shown in the electromagnet causes the end 43 of the bell crank locked position. 3| to be held downward and away from a pro- Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view showing jection 45 of the latch bolt I when the electro- 25 an alternate form of master locking mechanism magnet is not energized.

with mechanical means for rendering the out An ele Switch 41 vin a etal ousside latch retracting means ineffective in comin 48 is fix d t0 the b ttom of the frame 3 and bination with electrical means for preventing includ m v l insulating block" h vin movement of the latch bolt. a contact 5| fixed to its upper surface. A leaf 30 Figure -5 is a sectional view taken on the line sp g 53 is located in a recess 55 in the lower [-5 of Figure 4 showing details of the latch bolt surface of the block 49 which urges the block and lock bar structure. and contact 5| upward into contact with the ends Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken of the binding posts 51 and 60 which extend on the line 8-6 of Figure 4 showing the linkage through the insulated top 6| of the switch 41. 35

for operating the electrical switch mechanism. The circuit controlled by this switch is best shown Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of in Figu e The binding 9 s is c n ected a detail of Figure 4 with parts broken away, the to one side of a source of current 58 by means section being taken on the line 'I-l of Figure 6. of a conductor 59. The binding post 60 is con- Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line nected to one end SI of the winding of the elec- 40 88 of Figure 4 showing the lock bar in its untromagnet 29 by a conductor 63 fastened to a locked position with reference to the latch bolt. conductor 65. Aconductor 61 also attached to The locked position of the bar is shown by the the post 60 has parallel branches indicated at broken line; 69 which are connected to any number of elec- 'Figure 9 is a sectional detailed view of further tromagnets 29' similar to electromagnet 29 and 45 modification showing a dependent locking mechlocated onv latch mechanisms similar to that anism in which the latch retracting mechanism shown in Figure 2, but which are not provided is rendered ineffective by either electrical means with a switch and switch operating mechanism. controlled remotely by a master latching mech- It is evident from the above description that if 5 anism or directly. by mechanicalmeans. the switch block is moved to the left a connec- 5c The locking mechanism shown in Figure 2 tion is made between the current source to one comprises a latch bolt i slidably mounted on a side of each electromagnet. 1.wo means are proframe 3 by means of a bearing 5 at one end vided for movement of the block 49 to accomplish and on the other by means of a stud I which is this connection.

fixed to the frame 3 and extends through a The movable insulating block 49 is provided 55 and lock mechanism (not shown) located on the outside of the door. counterclockwise movement of the lever 11 moves the switch block 49 to the left and causes the contact 5| to establish a connection between the. binding posts 51 and 60. The switch block 49 may also be moved to the left by upward movement of a button 81 located on the inside of-the vehicle by the following means. A clamp. 19 is fixed to the link 13 by means of a screw 8| to which a Bowden wire 83 is attached. The wire 83 extends through a conduit 85 fixed to a door (not shown) and to the button 81 which is fixed to the other end of the Bowden wire; This button 81 is located inside the door.

The other end of the electromagnet winding 89 is connected to a leaf spring contact 9| by means of a screw 93. This contact 9| is attached to an insulating block 95 fixed to the frame 3. The

contact extends beyond the block and bears on the surface 91 of the sector I9, and, in certain positions of the parts, on the insulating block 23 (see Figure 2). Th sector I9 is grounded to the other side of the current source at I6 through the shaft I3 and frame 3, as best shown in Figure 1.'

The operation is as follows: With the parts in the position shown in- Figure 2, movement of the outside door handle (not shown) moves the shaft I3 counterclockwise and causes the pawl I1 to move the latch bolt I to the left by its contact with the projection 25. The latch bolt I may also be retracted by movement of the inside door handle (not shown) by means of its connection with the latch bolt at 21. To prevent retraction of any latch bolt by the outside handle, the push button 81 is either pulled upward or lever 11 is caused to be moved by the outside key (not shown), thus moving the switch block 49 to the left, as shown in Figure 3. This establishes a connection from one side of the current source to each pletes a circuit through its respective solenoid to ground when the insulating segment 23 is moved with'respect to the end of the spring contact 9I (see Figure 3). When the electromagnet 29 is energized the end 31 of the bell crank 3| is attracted to the core 4| and the end 43 moves upward about the pivot pin 33 and prevents further movement of the latch bolt by its engagement with the latch projection '45, as best shown in Figure 3.

With this coincidental locking system it is only necessary that one latch mechanism be provided with a master control switch and outside key lock for controlling any number of dependent latches located on various types of closure devices. It also provides an electrical locking system in which current is supplied only when slight pressure. is applied to any outside latch retracting handle.

A modification shown in Figure 4 provides means for preventing retraction of the latch bolt by electrical and/or mechanical means. With this system each latch may be locked indithus lifting both the lever I25 and the lever I 49 and placing'them in position shown in Figure 4.

vidually by mechanical means or all may be set for locking from one station which is provided with an electrical switch for controlling the electrical locking means. ,The latch bolt IN is slidably mounted at one end on the frame I03 in the bearing I05 and at the other end by means of a stud. I01 fixed to the frame I03 and which extends through the slot I09 in the latch bolt IOI. One

end of a spiral spring III is fixed to the frame a pin I21 fixed thereto and carried in a slot I29 in the frame I03; the other end, having a pin I3I fixed to it, is slidably supported in' a slot I33 in a lever I49 which will be later described. A spiral spring I35 fixed to the frame I03 at I31 has its free end I39 mounted to press against a projecting surface I4I on the lever I25 and holds it in contact with the pawl I2I. Movement of the I2I moves the lever I25 to the left. A lug I43 on the opposite end of the lever I25 is arranged to contact a downwardly extending projection I45 on the latch bolt for retracting the bolt. The latch bolt IOI may be also retracted by an, inside door handle and link (not shown) attached to the latch bolt at a point indicated at I41.

The lever I49 previously referred to is rotatably mounted on a stud I5I fixed to the frame I03. The lever I49 is provided with an arcuate slot I through which extends a pin I51 fixed to the frame I03. A spiral spring I53 having one end pivoted to the frame I03 and the other end pivoted to the lever 549 acts as an over center mechanism whichserves to hold the lever I49 in either of its extreme positions limited by the pin I 51 and slot I55. In Figure 4 the lever I49 is shown in its unlocked position;

The lever I49 extends downwardly beyond thestud I5I and is provided with a finger-shaped end I59 which projects into a recess I6I in a dog I63. This dog is formed on the end of a shaft I which extends through the frame I03 and arranged to be rotated by a key (not shown) from the outside.

When the dog member I63 is rotated clockwise by the outside key, the lower end I59 of the lever I49 is moved upward and the lever I25 is turned counterclockwise about the support pin I 21 by the pin I3I which is carried in the slot I33 of the lever I49. This renders the pawl I2I and lug I43 ineffective for retracting the latch bolt IOI Move ment of the latch bolt toward the unlatched positionby means of an inside handle andlink attached to point I41 causes the downwardly pro.- Jecting finger I46 of the latch bolt IN to contact the lug I43 (which is now in its lowered position) Rotation of the lever I49 about the stud I5I may also be accomplished by means of an inside linkage comprising a button I61 fixed to a downwardly extending rod I69 slidably mounted in the frame I03 and provided with an inwardly turned end "I extending through a slot I13 in the lever 149, as best shown in Figure 6. The end I1I' of this link also extends through a hole I14 in the connecting link, I15 which is connected by a pin The other end 228 of the sole-- switch shown at I18. The pin I19 extends,

through an insulation bushing I88 fixed to the.

element I11.

The switch I18 is provided for controlling a solenoid Ill 01' the master latch mechanism and also solenoids connected in parallel with the switch I19 of similar latch mechanisms. solenoid IN is fixed to the frame I08 above the latch bolt I Ill and is providedwith a movable armature I93 which is normally held in its up ward position by a spring I89. A look bar I85 is fixed to the lower end of the armature. When the solenoid. I8I is energized the armature I88 and the lock bar I85 are thrust downwardly so that the lock bar is in a position to contact a shoulder- I82 of the latch bolt IIII as best seen in Figures 4, 5 and 8. Withthe lock bar I85 in this downward position full retraction of the latch bolt iili is impossible.

The switch mechanism I18 is bestshown in the enlarged sectional view of Figure 7. This mech-.

anism comprises a-member I11 capable of vertical displacement within a'hollow casing I81 of insulating material. The member I11 is provided with contact members I89 and I9I located in a bore I93 in the lower end oi the member I11. A helical spring i95is placed between these contacts I99 and I91 and holds them outward in contact with the internal surfaces of the casing ml. The contact i89 has a rounded end which bears on the internal iacei91 of a contact I99 in its extreme upward position and on the internalfaceiti of the contact I99 in its extreme down ward position. The contact I98 is, molded in the left wall of the casing I91 and is provided with a binding post 299 fixed to its central outward ex-; tending portion 299 of the contacti99. A depression 281 located on the internal surface of the casing in between the ends I91 and 29I of the contact I99 serves as a detentfor the movable switch element I11 when the contact I99 projects into the depression 291. This deter-' mines the mid-position of the movable switch element I11. A fixed contact 299 is provided with an integral binding post 2 which extends outward through an opening 2M in the right-hand wall of the casing I91. The contact wt of the movable element I11 bears on the fixed contact 299 in all three positions 01' the movable elemeat till. i

It is evident that when the movable element Hill is in either its extreme upward or downward position an electrical connection is set up between the binding posts 2" and 298. When the movable element, however,v is in its mid-position, determined by the depression 291, this connectioh is broken.

The binding post M I of the switch element I18" is connected-to a source of cu'rrent2l8 by a conductor 2W, the other side of the current source being grounded at m as best seen in Figure 4.

' The other binding post 288 is connected by means of a conductor 2I1 to a binding post 2" supported in an insulated strip 22I fixed to thesolenoid frame I82. One end 01' the solenoid winding i8I indicated at 228 is connected to the binding post 2I9. Another conductor 22!, also attached to the binding post 2I9, has parallel branches 2-21 extending to other similar solenoid windings 10- by the switch. I 18.

' mold in is connected to the binding post as also The means of an insulated bushing 2. The bracket 288 is fixed to the frame I93 by a rivet 243. It

will be noted that the spring contact 285 is located adjacent to the downwardly extending lug I28 fixed to the shaft Il9 to which the outside door handle is attached. When the handle is moved to retract the latch the lug I23 wipes across the spring contact 235 grounding one side of the solenoid winding, the frame I03 being attached to the ground as indicated at 245.

All the other dependent latch mechanisms controlled by the switch I18 of the master latch. mechanism shown in Figure 4 may be of the same stype but are not provided with a switch mechanisma The operation of this coincidental locking system is as follows: With the parts in the position shown in Figure 4 all the latch mechanisms are in the mechanically unlocked position as the lever I25 is in position to retract the latch bolt IIlI but they are set for electrical looking as the inside button I61 is in its extreme upward position. The movable member I11 of the switch is likewise in its extreme upward position and a connection is made from the source of current 2I8 toone end of each solenoid through the switch contacts 299, I9I, I11, I89 and the end I91'of the contact I99 to which one end of each solenoid winding is connected by conductors 2I1, 228, 225 and 221. All the latch mechanisms are therefore set for electrically locking. Ifa slight pressure is applied to any door handle the shaft H9 will cause the lug I28 to wipe across the spring contact 235 and complete the circuit to ground through the individual solenoid winding. The current will flow from the solenoid to ground by the following conductors, namely, 229, 288, contact 295, lug I29, shaft H9, thence to the frame I59 which is grounded at 225. When the solenoid winding is energized the armature I98 .and lock bar I95 is thrust downward and prevents the pawl I2I from entirely retracting the latch bolt "II as the shoulder E92 then contacts the lock bar I85 preventing further movement (see Figures 5 and 8). When pressure on the door handle is removed the circuit is broken and all the parts are returned to their original position by return springs previously describm. The above operation applies to each dependent looking mechanism. v

The latch bolt I III may be retracted'with the switch mechanism in any of its three positions by moving the inside door handle and linkage which is connected to the latch bolt at I41.

Retraction of the master latch bolt by the outside door handle with the switch in this upward position can only be accomplished by the door key. When the key is moved the dog member is rotated clockwise, as viewed in Figure 4, which moves the lever I49 counterclockwise about the stud III and thereby moves the end "I of likewise moved downward to its mid-position by the connecting link I15 between the rod end I" key is then returned to its ori'ginalposition and ..and element I11 until the circuit is broken. The

the levers I48 and I25 return to the position 7 shown in Figure 4 so that the latch may be retracted by the outsidedoor handle. The rod end "I will be, In the left in the mid-portion of the slot I18 oi the lever I49 as shown in Figure 4, t

the switch element will.be in the mid-position, the connection between the source of current and each electroma'gnet will be broken and all latch- I ing mechanisms will be unlocked both mechanically and electrically.

With the parts in the position shown in Figure.

' nism is attached is opened and the operator steps out; The inside button'IG'I is then fully depressed and the rod I99 and rod end "I move the left end of the levers I49 and I and also the switch element I'II downward to their lowest position.

This renders the lug I43 ineffective to contact the projection I of the latch bolt and simultaneously connects one side of each solenoid through the contacts 209 and lower end 20I of the contact I99 with the current source 2I3 (see Figures 4 and '7). The outside door handle is next moved in a direction to fully retract the latch bolt but as the left ends of the levers I49 and I25 are lowered the pawl I2 I therefore only moves the lever I25 to the left with respect to the lever I49 until the pin I3I strikes the left end of slot I33 in the lever I49. When the door is then slammed shut the extent of the movement of the latch to the left .by contacting the striker plate (not shown) is not suflicient to allow the projection I45 of the latch bolt to contact the lug I43 and move it upward. The second method of locking the master latching mechanism both electrically and mechanically is by means of the outside key. Movement of the key moves the dog I63 clockwise to its fullest extent and the right end I59 in contact with dog is moved upward about the stud It". The left end of the lever therefore moves downward carrying both the left end of the lever I25 and switch element I'I'I downward in the same manner as outlined above relative to the first method oflocking both mechanically and electrically. The rod end III will be in theupper portion of the slot I13 of the lever I49.

Unlocking is accomplished from the inside by moving the button I61 upward until the switch element is moved to its mid-position. Unlocking from the outside is accomplished by the key and dog I63. This moves the rod end Ill and switch element I'II from its lowest position to its midposition by movement of the lever I49 clockwise about the stud I5I. When the lever I49 has been moved clockwise to its fullest extent, the

rod end is in the lower part of the slot I13 in the lever I49 in which position the switch element is in its mid-position and the master latch mechanism is in the unlocked position.

If the dependent latching mechanisms are similar to the one shown in Figure 4 but do not have a switch, each is mechanically unlocked when the inside button is in the upper position and mechanically locked when the button is moved to its lower position. The switch on the master mechanism sets the dependent mechanisms for locking electrically when the button is in either of its extreme positions. Electrical locking of any one dependent mechanism is accomplished by a slight movement of the individual door handles which energizes the respective solenoid, thus preventing retraction of the latch as described above.

In a further modification shown in-Figure 9 a solenoid I8I' is provided for rendering the outside door handle ineffective for retracting the latch bolt NH. The solenoid I8I' is fixed to the frame I03 of a latchmechanism similar to that shown in Figure 4. All parts in Figure 9 which are identical with those of Figure 4 have the same reference numbers. The armature I83 is connected to the lever I49 by the link I84". The solenoid I8I may be connected to the master switch in the same manner as outlined in the description relative to the structures shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4 and may be used on either a master or dependent latching mechanism which has. manual means or without this means for rendering the latch retracting means ineffective in combination with the electrical means. With latch retracting means, manually operable means for rendering the latch retracting means ineffective, electromagnetically operated mechanisms engageable with the bolts for preventing retraction of the bolts by said means, a source of current, means associated with one latching mechanism only for establishing a connection from said current source to each electromagnet,

'said last mentioned means-being operated by the means for rendering the latch retracting means inefiective, and means associated with and operated by each latch retracting means upon move-- ment toward unlatching position for completing a circuit through the individual electromagnets to cause the electromagnetically operating mechanism to move to engage the bolt to prevent the operation of the latch.

2. In a coincidental locking system comprising'a plurality of closure members each having a latching mechanism including a latch bolt, latch retracting mechanism, .electromagnetically operated mechanisms engageable with the bolts for preventing retraction by said means, a, source of current, manual means comprising an inside button and an outside key mechanism, an electric switch operated by either of the manual means for establishing a connection from said source to each electroma'gnet in each of its extreme positions and for breaking said connection in its mid-position, and electric switch mechanisms operated by each latch retracting'means for completing a circuit through the individual electromagnets to cause the electromagnetically operated mechanism to engage the bolt and prevent its retraction.

3. A, latching mechanism for locking and unlocking a closure comprising a latch bolt, a manually rotatable pawl operated from outside said closure, shiftable means for connecting or disconnecting said pawl and said latch bolt for respectively allowing or preventing retraction of said latch bolt by said pawl, a lever for shifting said shiftable connecting means, said lever being operable from inside said closure, and from outside thereof by a key, means located adjacent said latch bolt normally allowing retraction thereof but movable with respect to saidlatch anism for locking a closure comprising, a latch bolt, a retractor for the latch bolt operable from outside the closure, shiftable means for connecting and disconnecting said retractor and latch.

bolt, a lever for shifting said shii'table means, means located adjacent said latch bolt normally allowing retraction thereof but movable with respect to said latch bolt for engagement thereby to prevent retraction thereof, an electromagnet for moving said last named means, an electric control switch connected to said electromagnet movable to its closed position by said retractor and combined electrical and mechanical control means to allow or prevent retraction of said latch bolt comprising a master switch electrically connected to and controlling the energization and deenergization of said first namedcontrol-switch and the'electromagnet controlled thereby, actuating' means for said master switch operable from inside said closure, said actuatingmeans likewise being operatively connected to saidlever by a lost motion connection, and outside key operated means operatively connected to said lever to move said lever and said master switch.

5. A master latching mechanism for locking and unlocking a closure and simultaneously controlling a plurality of dependent latching mechanisms, said master latching mechanism'comprising, a latch bolt, a rotatable pawl manually operable irom outside said closure, shiftable means for connecting and disconnecting said pawl and said latch bolt for respectively allowing or preventing retraction of said latch bolt by said pawl, a lever for shifting said shiitable connecting means, means located adjacent said latch bolt normally allowing retraction thereof said means capable 01' being moved with respect to said latch bolt for engagement thereby to prevent retraction thereof, an electromagnet adapted when energized to move said last named means, an electrical switch connected to said electro- 5 magnet operated by said pawl to control ener-. gization of said electromagnet, a three position master control switch electrically connected to said electrical switch for energizing it when in its extreme positions or deenergizing said switch when in its central position therebetween and control means for said lever and said switch operably connected thereto capable or moving both to allow or prevent retraction of said latch bolt by said pawl, said means being manually 15 operable from inside and key operated from outside said closure.

6. In a latching mechanism for a closure, a irame,'a latch bolt slidable thereon, anoutside retractor tor the latch bolt, mechanical and electrical means for allowing or preventing retraction of said latch bolt by said outside retractor, said mechanical means comprising, a discon-' nectable connection between said latch bolt and said outside retractor and control means for said 25 disconnectable connection operable from inside of said closure, and from the outside thereof by a key, said mechanical means including devices in the way of projections on the latch bolt and disconnectable connection for returning said disconnectable connection to its operative position when said closure is closed, said'electrical means comprising electromagnetically actuated means adjacent said latch bolt normally allowing retraction of said bolt but movable with respect thereto for engagement by the latch bolt to prevent retraction thereof, an electromagnet for moving said last named means, control means for said electromagnet comprising an electrical switch connected to said electromagnet for controlling the energization thereof, said switch operable by said outside retractor, a source of electrical energy and means connecting said switch and electromagnet with said source of energy, said means including a master switch operably connected to said first named control means to open or close said connecting means between said source 01' energy and said first named switch and electromagnet.

7 HORACE D. SEEHNGER. 

